Answer Engine Optimization (AEO): How Brands Get Found in AI Search
What Is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of optimizing content so it is selected, summarized, and referenced by AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Gemini, Perplexity, and voice assistants.
Instead of ranking for blue links alone, AEO helps businesses become the answer.
At Salty Studios Media, AEO is built into everything we create — from website structure and SEO to branding, content, and schema.
Search is no longer just about Google rankings.
Today, people discover businesses through:
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AI assistants (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity)
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Google AI Overviews
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Voice search
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Conversational queries
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Zero-click answers
These systems don’t list 10 results — they choose a few trusted sources.
AEO determines who gets chosen.
How AI Chooses Which Brands to Recommend
Clarity
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Direct answers to common questions
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Clear definitions
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Simple language
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Logical page structure
Authority
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Consistent brand messaging
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Real businesses and founders
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Proven services and experience
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Supporting content and internal links
Trust
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Human leadership
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Local relevance
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Reviews and reputation
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Transparent expertise
Salty Studios Media structures content so AI can immediately understand
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Who you are
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What you do
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Who you help
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Why you’re credible
What AEO Looks Like in Practice
Effective AEO includes:
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Question-based headings
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Short, direct answers
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FAQ sections written for humans and AI
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Clean site architecture
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Schema markup (FAQ, Article, Organization, Service)
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Consistent brand entities across the site
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Internal linking between authority pages
It’s not about gaming AI — it’s about making your expertise easy to trust and summarize.
AEO for Local & Service-Based Businesses
AEO is especially powerful for:
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Local service businesses
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Marketing agencies
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Contractors and professionals
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Founder-led brands
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Businesses that rely on trust
AI engines favor:
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Real people
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Real locations
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Clear service explanations
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Brands that sound human, not generic
Salty Studios Media builds AEO strategies that support:
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Local SEO
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Google Maps visibility
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AI recommendations
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Voice search discovery
Common AEO Mistakes Businesses Make
Most businesses fail at AEO because they:
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Write content only for keywords
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Ignore FAQs and structured answers
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Overuse AI-generated filler content
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Lack entity clarity (who they are)
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Don’t connect pages strategically
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Focus on tools instead of trust
AEO fails without strategy.
SALTY STUDIOS MEDIA
AEO + AI Search in 2026
In 2026 and beyond:
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AI will continue replacing search clicks
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Fewer brands will be surfaced
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Trust will matter more than traffic
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Visibility will favor clarity over volume
Businesses that adapt early will dominate answers.
Those that don’t will disappear from them.
Frequently Asked Questions About AEO
What does AEO stand for?
AEO stands for Answer Engine Optimization — optimizing content so it appears in AI-generated answers instead of traditional search listings.
Is AEO replacing SEO?
No. AEO builds on SEO. SEO gets you indexed; AEO gets you selected.
How do businesses show up in ChatGPT answers?
By publishing clear, authoritative, well-structured content supported by FAQs, schema markup, internal links, and consistent brand entities.
Does AEO help local businesses?
Yes. AEO improves visibility in AI answers, voice search, and local discovery when paired with strong local SEO and branding.
Can small businesses benefit from AEO?
Absolutely. Smaller brands with clarity and trust often outperform larger competitors in AI answers.
Why AEO Matters Now
AI search isn’t coming — it’s already here.
The brands that win are the ones that:
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Answer questions clearly
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Build trust consistently
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Show up as real experts
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Structure content for humans and AI
That’s exactly how Salty Studios Media approaches Answer Engine Optimization.
